Please read these Terms of Use carefully. By posting on Just Grounds you agree to abide by these Terms of Use.

At all times, please use the same courtesy and etiquette that you would use in real life as if you were in mixed company in public.

Just Grounds aims to provide a safe environment for robust debate. To debate means to discuss, consider and deliberate. There are certain behaviours that have no place in debate and therefore the following are not welcome on this site:

You must not engage in swearing, racism, sexism, bullying, harassment, or defamatory comments.

You must not provoke, antagonise, abuse, denigrate, attack, or harass any other member.

You must not post comments with the intention of inciting arguments, attacks, or inflammatory remarks (this is called “trolling” and it is not tolerated on this site). A form of trolling includes consistently repeated and aggressively stated opinions that do not engage with others.

You must not post excessively frequent comments, where the effect of those comments discourages the participation of others or turns a debate around into one about yourself.

You must not post comments with the intention of inciting the commission of unlawful acts.

You must not post pornographic photos, images, videos, or engage in crude humour.

You must only add content that is acceptable to be viewed by minors.

You must not post advertising material or anything of a commercial nature within any discussion, forum, blog or comment. If you wish to place a paid advertisement, please contact the Moderators.

You must not post anything that infringes copyright.

You agree to accept sole responsibility and accountability for everything you post on this site.

Just Grounds reserves the right to delete, lock, split, move or edit any post, thread or image that breaches these Terms of Use, or is otherwise detrimental to Just Grounds.

Moderators

Please respect that the Moderators are volunteers who donate their valuable time to the forum. Their decisions are final. Just Grounds will not tolerate arguments or attacks on the Moderators who are providing a valuable service to all members.

If you post something that breaches these Terms of Use, the Moderators may, at their discretion, copy, delete and return the post, thread or image to you via Just Grounds private message. They will include an indication of the nature of the breach and an invitation to re-post within the Terms of Use.

Alternatively, the Moderators may, at their discretion edit your post, thread or image and send you a Just Grounds private message about the edit. They will include an indication of the nature of the breach. In this case, you are free to leave the edit, change what you wrote to something that is within the Terms of Use, or delete your post and re-post within the Terms of Use.

If the breach is a minor one, the Moderators may, at their discretion, request that you self-edit your post, thread or image. But the Moderators retain the right to delete or lock the post, thread or image, if you do not follow the request.

In the event of a serious breach, the Moderators will copy and delete the post and, if appropriate, issue a warning by Just Grounds private message.

Moderators may issue a general caution by public post, if discussion discord or direction warrants such notification.

If you disagree with a Moderator decision, take time out and cool down. If you still disagree, send the Moderators a private message requesting further consideration and express yourself in a calm and reasonable fashion. The Moderators will then put the issue to a panel of Moderators for consideration and decision. That decision is final.

If you persist in failing to observe these Terms of Use, the Moderators will act under a “three strikes” policy: warning, warning, then suspension or banning.

Please be aware that certain serious cases may warrant immediate suspension. For example, the case which unfortunately occurred of a Just Grounds member “outing” another Just Grounds Member on another blog when the other person had chosen to use a pseudonym (a serious breach of privacy that contravened Ning's overriding Terms of Service). There are any number of very serious situations where we will act immediately to protect member privacy and safety.

The Moderators believe that good rules should protect those who comply and will endeavour to act accordingly.

Usernames

Because Just Grounds is a community of real people discussing real issues, we strongly prefer the use of your real name.

If you have reason to wish to use a pseudonym, please contact the Moderators for permission to do so. You must only use a pseudonym that would be acceptable as a real name.

Legal

By posting on this site you agree to the following:

Just Grounds has no obligation to monitor any person’s use of Just Grounds, however Just Grounds retains the right at all times to monitor, retain and disclose any information necessary to satisfy any applicable law, regulation, legal process or governmental request. You will indemnify Just Grounds if Just Grounds suffers any loss or damage or incurs any costs in connection with any breach of these Terms of Use or any other legal obligation by you or your use of or conduct on Just Grounds.

It is possible that other visitors may use this website in violation of these Terms of Use. For example, another member may post content that is defamatory, offensive or otherwise illegal. You acknowledge that this is a risk inherent in the activity of participating in an online forum, and you release and hold harmless Just Grounds from any and all liability in connection with such conduct.

Changes to Terms of Use

From time to time, changes may be made to these Terms of Use. Please check back to ensure you are aware of the current Terms of Use. By posting on this site you are taken to have agreed to abide by these Terms of Use, including any changes that may be made from time to time.

If you object to anything in these Terms of Use, you are of course free at all times to choose not to use this site.

Additional Ning Terms of Service

In addition to the above Terms of Use, Ning requires that you abide by their Terms of Service.

Specific Matters

1.  Religion

To see our position regarding religious matters, go to The "R" Word

2.  Abusive Statements

For tips on out to avoid making abusive or antagonistic statements, go to